Cooker.



, PATENTED FEB. 18,.1908. l M. D. TAYLOR.

000mm. APPLICATION FILED JAN. 11, 1907.

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No. 879,693. PATENTED PBB.18, 1908.

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APPLIOATION FILED JAN. 11, 1907.

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COOKER APP'LIOAT ION FILED JAN. 11, 1907.

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ammo; 322/5fiy/az Q/Vwmmm I O I No. 879,693. PATENTED FEB. 18, 1908.

M. D. TAYLOR.

COOKER.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.11, 1907.

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MILES D. TAYLOR, OF ROCHELLE, ILLINOIS.

COOKER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 18, 1908.

Application filed January 11, 1907- Serial No. 351,892.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, MILEs D. TAYLOR, a citizen of the United States of America, re-' siding at Rochelle, in the county of Ogle and State of Illinois, have invented new and useful Improvements in Cookers, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to an improvement in cookers, designed primarily for properly cooking canned goods after sealing within the can.

The main object of the present invention is the production of a cooking apparatus constructed to automatically and progressively move the cans in the cooker proper from the inlet toward the outlet.

Another object of the invention isthe provision of means whereby the cans are being continuously moved within the cooker during the cooking operation, to insure the most effective result of the cooking medium.-

With the above objects in view, the invention consists in certain preferred details of construction, which will be fully described in the following specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view illustrating the automatic delivery mechanism to the cooker proper, Fig. 2 is a front eleva tion of the same, Fig. 3 is a broken elevation illustrating the feeding mechanism for delivering the cans from the delivery mechanism to the cooker, and from the latter to the cooling table, Fig. 4 is an end elevation of the same, Fig. 5 is a plan-of the sprocket supporting frame for the feedin mechanism, Fig. 6 is an end elevation of t e feeding plungers supporting frame, illustrating a modified form of actuating mechanism, Fig. 7 is a front elevation of the same, Fig. 8 is a sectional view partly in elevation illustrating the operation of the feeding mechanism with relation to the cooker proper, Fig. 9 is a partial vertical section through the can supporting frame within the cooker, the operating parts being omitted, Fig. 10 is a similar view with the operating parts in place, the travel of the cans throughout the structure being illustrated, Fig. 11 is a transverse section through the cooker proper, illustrating particularly the means for preventing movement of the cans during the feeding intervals, Fig. 12 is a similar view, illustrating particularly the can feeding mechanism within the cooker, Fig. 13 is a similar view illustrat- ,the length of-the latter.

ing the can transferring mechanism. Fig. 14. is a longitudinal sectional view throu h the cooking apparatus of my invention. Fig. 15 is a broken perspective of the can carrier, forming part of my invention.

Referring particularly to the drawings, my improved can cooking mechanism includes a cooker proper, and a feeding mechanism for receiving the cans from the sealing machine of any preferred type, or from the hands of the operator and delivering the same to the cooker.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 to 5 in-' clusive, wherein is illustrated the preferred form of feeding mechanism, 1 represents a tend throughout the width of the plate and.

are of a size and contour in transverse section to properly receive and support the cans. Bearing arms 6 project from the side edges of the guide plate immediately above the lower trough 5, in which is revolubly supported a shaft 7. Hangers 8 are secured to a frame plate 9 supported above and in spaced relationfrom the base 1, said hangers being respectively arranged above the bearing arms. A shaft 10 is revolubly supported from the hangers 8, the arrangement of the parts providing for the disposition of this shaft somewhat above the upper trough 4. Sprocket wheels 11 are secured upon the. shaft 7 immediately adjacent the arms 6, similar wheels 12 being secured upon the shaft 10 in alinement with the wheels 11. The respective pairs of wheels 11 and 12 are connected through the medium of sprocket chains 13, and supported by and operative with said two sprocket chains is an elevating bracket 14. The bracket 14 is practically co-extensive in width with the width of the guide plate, and is so connected with the sprocket chains as to project at right angles thereto during the travel of the chains. As the chains operate in parallel relation to the face of the guide plate,- it is obvious that the elevating bracket will be caused to travel over the face of the guide plate throughout The disposition of the shaft 7 directly above the lower trough 5 causes the elevating bracket in its travel around the lower sprocket wheels 11 to travel in a plane conforming to the curvature of the trough 5. As the free end of the elevating bracket is in operative position spaced but slightly from the surface of the guide plate, it is at once obvious that during the travel of said bracket the cans deposited in the trough 5 will be elevated throughout the length of theguide plate and deposited in the upper trough 4. Any suitable means may be provided for operating either shaft 7 or 10, as such forms no material part of the present invention.

In connection with the elevating mechanism described, whereby the cans are delivered from the lower or receiving trough into the upper or feeding trough, I provide a means whereby the cans delivered into the feeding trough are forced into the cooker proper. This means, hereinafter referred to as the delivery mechanism, comprises a carriage 15, slidably mounted at its upper and lower ends in appropriately formed. tracks 16 provided in the base and frame plates 1 and 9. The carriage comprises spaced bars 17, formed near their upper ends with an offset portion 18 conforming to the free end'of the upper trough 4, whereby said carriage may be projected longitudinally of said trough without interference. That portion of the carriage centrally overlying the trough 4 is formed with bearing sections 1.9 in which is fixedly secured a plunger rod 20 carrying at its free end a head 21. As thus disposed the plunger rod 20 extends longitudinally and centrally of the upper trough 4, the arrangement being such that the head 21 will engage the cans deposited in said. trough and force the same longitudinally thereof into the cooker proper, as will presently appear. At the relatively lower end the bars 17 of the carriage are formed with bearings 22 in which is secured a plunger rod 23, carrying at its end a head 24. The plunger rod 23, hereinafter termed the ejector is for the purpose of forcing the cans from the cooker proper, and is, therefore, of materially greater length than the plunger 20, hereinafter termed the feeding plunger.

To provide for the proper reciprocation of the carriage and thereby proper action of the plungers I arrange a frame standard 25 between the frame plates 1 and 9, and beyond the rearward limit of travel of the carriage. A U-shaped supporting plate 26 is secured to the standard 25 about midlength thereof in which is supported a transversely arranged shaft 27, said shaft bridging the opening be tween the arms of the bracket and projecting beyond the free arm thereof, as clearly shown in Fig. 4, the shaft being also extended in the opposite direction beyond the supporting plate and terminally mounted in frame supports 28, being provided with fast and loose pulleys 29 and 30, for operating the mechanism from any desired source of power. On

the shaft 27 between the arms of the sup porting plate, and beyond the free arm thereof are secured sprocket wheels 31 over which pass sprocket chains 32, the opposite end supports of which are sprocket wheels 33 mounted upon a shaft 34 supported in a bracket 35 secured to a frame standard 36. The sprocket chains 32 are thus disposed in parallel relation and simultaneously driven, it being noted from Fig. 4 that the arrangement of the parts provides for the disposition of the sprocket chains atone side of the carriage proper.

The sprocket chains are utilized as'the mechanism for reciprocating the carriage, and to secure this result I arrange between the bars 17 of the carriage a block 37, the edges of which are slidably mounted in guideways formed in the proximate edges of the bars 17 The block supports a laterally extending rod 38 directly beyond the plane of the sprocket chain 31, and on this rod, in position to be engaged by the chains is supported sprocket wheels 39, adapted to engage the chains and be longitudinally moved thereby. The block 37 is permitted a limited travel between the carriage bars, so that the wheels 39 will follow the chain throughout its movement, riding above and in contact with the chains to move the carriage in one direction, and below in contact with the chains to move the carriage in the opposite direction. In this connection it is to be understood that the respective sprocket wheels are so disposed as to avoid any interference with the described travel of the wheels 39.

In Figs. 6 and 7 is shown a slightly modi fied form of feeding mechanism wherein the carriage comprises a bar 40, provided adj acent opposite ends with oppositely extending arms 41 and 42. The free ends of the arms 41 and 42 are guided in the respective frame plates, and are. provided respectively with the feeding plunger 43 and the ejector plunger 44. The relatively lower edge of the bar 40 is formed with a series of teeth 45, operatively meshing with the teeth of a gear 46 supported on a shaft 47 mounted in bearings secured to the framework, the shaft being also provided with a pinion 48 arranged to be engaged by a rack bar 49 connected to and operated by a link 50. The link is driven from a crank pin51 supported upon the main operating shaft 52. In the operation of the shaft 52 the carriage, and, therefore, the respective plungers will be reciproeated as in standard 36 by connecting bars 55, as shown in Fig. 3, whereby the feeding mechanism is supported adjacent the head of the shell.

Referring to .Fig. 9, wherein is illustrated the fixed framing arranged within the cooking cylinder, 56 represents end standards connected by cross bars 57. .The cross bars are preferably of L-shape, their horizontal ledges 58 forming supports for floor plates 59 extending longitudinally of the cylinder. The floor plates 59 are preferably comparatively narrow metallic strips having their longitudinal edges bent downwardly to provide lips 60, the floor plates being so arranged as to space the lips of the adjacent plates, for

a purpose which will later appear.

The invention contemplates the use of any desired number of floors within the cooker, four being shown in the present instance. The upper floor serves as the initial or receiving floor, while the lower floor serves as the final or discharging floor, and means are provided for transferringthe cans in succession throughout the width of the respective floors, so that the cans delivered to the upper floor are moved at determinate intervals throughout the width of that floor, then transferred to the next lower floor, and so on throughout the succeeding floors. For the purposes of this transference the alternate floors are projected in opposite directions, so as to provide for the delivery of the cans from the particular floor to the'transferring mechanism to be described. The upper floor is for this purpose provided with a floor plate 61 disposed beyond the fixed framing, the bars 57 beingprojected beyond the adjacent standard 56 to support this floor plate. The end of the projected cross bars 57 beyond the floor plate 61 are provided with a guard flange 62 to prevent movement of the cans in a direction away from the floor proper. The floors between the upper and lower floor are also provided with end floor plates 63 beyond the main frame, alternately disposed as-shown, though in this instance the additional floor plate is free of any guard flange. The lower floor is also provided with an extended floor plate 64 at one end, and at the opposite end, which the discharge end, with an additional floor plate 65 having'a guard flange 66..-

Referring particularly to Fig. 8, it-will be noted that the floor plate 61 of the upper floor is in alinement with-the plane of movement of the delivery plunger 20, while the floor plate 65 of the lower floor is in alinement with the ejector plunger 23. The upper or delivery trough 4 is in communication with the cooling cylinder through the medium of a feeding cylinder 66, preferably of a size toslidably receive the cans of material, and so arranged that the cans delivered from the trough 4 under the influence of the delivery plunger will be forced through the cylinder 66. The cylinder communicates with the interior of the cooking cylinder through an opening normally closed by a spring-pressed valve 67, whereby the cooking.

cylinder is in communication with the delivery cylinder only during delivery of the cans, whereby to prevent undue loss of the cooking agent. The ejector plunger 23 extends through the proximate head of the cooking cylinder, a steam tight connection being provided through the use of a stuffing box 68. As the ejector is designed only to force the cans from the extended floor plate 65 the head 24 of said plunger normally rests at one end of said floor plate, as will be clear from the drawings.

Referring now particularly to Fig. 12, wherein is illustrated the feeding means for transferring or moving the cans across the respective floors 69 represents the upright bars of the feeding frame, arranged in pairs at the respective ends of the main frame, each end pair being connected by cross bars 70. The cross bars 70 correspond in number to the number of floors within the cooking cylinder and are arranged above said floors, as shown. Slide bars '71 are connected to each of the cross bars 70 through the medium of a pin and slot connection 72, arranged to permit a movement of the slide bars trans verse the feeding frame. The longitudinally alined sliding bars support L-shaped plates 73, the depending portions of which form feeding plates 74. The feeding plates connecting any pair of side bars are spaced to alin'e with the respective spaces between the fioor plates 59, thereby in effect providing vertical partitions above each floor plate and slightly beyond each longitudinal edge thereof. The feeding plates are of sufficient length to project below the upper portion of a can resting upon the floor plates, when the parts are in normal position, so that the feeding plates, together with the respective floor plates, provide a series of independent can receiving chambers extending longitudinally of the cooking cylinder. The respective slide bars at each end of the feeding frame are connected by vertically extending bars 75, 76, arranged adjacent the respective ends of the bars and connected to the alternate bars, bar 75 being connected to the second and fourth slide bars in the series, while the bar 76 is con nected to the first and third. Operating levers 77, 78, are supported on one of the cross bars 57 of the main frame, the upper end of bar 77 being connected by a link 79 to the upper end of the bar 75, while the lower end of said lever is connected by a link 80 to the bar 76. The upper'and lower ends of the lever 7 8 are similarly connected by links 81, 82, to the bars 76 and 75.

The shaft 34 on which is secured one pair of driving sprockets for the delivery carriage is provided with a beveled gear 83 arranged v a vertically disposed shaft 85, the lower end of which shaft drives through the medium of meshing gears 86 and 87 a gear wheel 88 fixed upon a shaft 89, said gear wheel 88 in turn driving a gear wheel 90 fixed upon a shaft 91. The shafts 89 and 91 extend longitudinally of the cooking cylinder, being the,

operating shafts for mechanism therein.

rectly below the levers 77, 78 the operating shafts 89 and 91 are provided respectively with cam disks 92, 93, preferably in the form of plates provided with a cam groove. Operating levers 94, 95 are pivotally supported at their lower ends upon a fixed cross bar 96, being connected at their upper ends by links 97, 98 with the levers 78, 77 respectively.

The levers 94, 95 are provided with laterally extending pins 99, designed to seat in the cam grooves of the respective cams 92 and 93, and thereby operate the feeding frame. The .pins of the respective levers are'disposed in opposing relation as respects the cam grooves so that operation of the shafts, which is of course in opposite directions will cause reverse reciprocation of the connected slide bars, that is,'the first and third slide bar will be movedv in one direction, while the second and fourth bar will-be moved in the opposite direction. The cam grooves of the cams 92 and 93 are so arranged in connection with other cams 103, 104, as to impart an upward, as well as a lateral movement of the feeding frame, whereby the said frame as a whole is elevated and depressed at determinate intervals while, through the same operation, the slide bars are reciprocated at determinate intervals. The arrangement of the particular details of the feeding mechanism'is such that under the influence of the cams the feeding plates 74 are elevated to dispose their lower ends above the underlying cams, then moved laterally in a direction away from the normal direction of feed of the cams on the particular floor. This lateral movement is approximately equal to the diameter of one can, and subsequently to this movement the feeding plates are lowered to normal elevation, and then moved laterally to normal position. Each blade has, therefore, traveled over and beyond a particular row of cans and forced the same laterally to an advance position in the direction of travel of the cans through the cooker.

As the cans disposed upon the respective floors are during a predeterminate movement of the feeding plates, free of the restraining influence of these plates, it is obvious that means must be provided for preventing movement of the cans during such freedom from the feeding plates. This particular holding mechanism is illustrated in Fig. 11 and comprises cross bars 100' connected to the end bars 69 of the feeding frame, and car-' rying on their upper edges L-shaped plates 101, the vertical portions of whichform holding plates. The holding plates are thus disposed below the respective floors, being alined respectively with the spaces between the floor plates 59, and terminating below the supporting surface of said plates. Cams 103, 104, are secured respectively upon shafts 89, and 91, being arranged to operate lifting levers 105, 106 ivotally supported at their inner ends to a red part of the frame and connected at their outer ends to the end bars 69 of the feeding frame. Rollers 107 project laterally from the respective levers,

and bear upon the cams with the effect to elevate the feeding frame as hereinbefore described.

As the holding blades 102 are alined with the superimposed feeding blades, and with the spaces between the overlying floor plates 59, it is obvious that as the feeding blades are elevated above the cans, as hereinbefore stated, the holding blades will be simultaneously projected between the floor plates and thereby between the respective rows of cans, thus preventing the lateral movement of the cans during the interval of freedom of the cans from the influence of the feeding blades. As the respectiife rows of cans are designed to be successively fed transverse the floors of the cooking cylinder, it is es'sential that means be rovided for transferring the cans from one oor to the next lower floor. The means I-have devised for this purpose is most clearly illustrated in Fig. 13, wherein it will be noted that the end bars 56 of the main frame within the cooking cylinder in longitudinal alinement at one side of the frame are provided with guide plates 108 and 109, the former being disposed slightly above the projected floor plates 63 of the second floor, while the latter is similarly disposed above the floor plate 64 of the fourth floor. A similar guide plate 110 is secured to the opposing end bars 56, this guide plate being disposed slightly above the projected floor plate 63 of the third floor. The respective guide plates are of a width to project their outer free edges beyond the outer edges of the respective end being understood that each of the respective floor plates described are duplicated at both ends of the frame, whereby to provide longitudinally alined guide plates for the transferring mechanism. A bar 113 is slidably I supported in the guide slots lll and 112,

preferably through the medium of pins 114, and pivotally supported in the longitudinally formed with a guide slot 117 in which is supported a can carrier 118 identical with the carriers previously described, said carrier 118 being slidably and rotatably mounted in the guide slots 117 through the medium of pins 119. As thus constructed the floor structure within the cooking cylinder is provided adjacent each projecting floor with a can carrier arranged for independent vertical movement upon the particular projected floor to the next upper floor, and also arvranged for an independent swinging move ment.

To secure the roper movements of the respective floors mount upon each of the shafts 89 and 91 identical cams 120. Each of these cams have coincident double camfaces for the greater portion of their peripheral length, said faces, however, being at a particular portion of the cam differently projected to provide independent cam surfaces 121, 122. Each set of carriers is provided with a single operating mechanism, so that the carriers on each side of the floor are similarly and simultaneously operated.

The operating mechanism for the carriers 115, 116 includes independent levers 123, 124, both pivotally secured at their inner ends upon a support 125, the outer end of lever 123 being connected by a link 126 to the lower end of bar 113, while the outer end of lever 124 is connected by a link 127 to a rod 128, which in turn is connected through the medium of rocker arms 129 to the respective pins 114. Each of the levers 123, 124 are provided with laterally projected rollers 130, and said levers are spaced to provide for their independent movement without interference. The cam 120 underlying these levers is so arranged that both rollers 130v will be engaged by the coincident double face of the cam, while the divided faces are so disposed that the roller on lever 123 will cooperate with the cam face 122, while the roller on lever 124 will cooperate with the cam face 121.

The operating mechanism for carrier 118 is practically identical with that described for carriers 115, 116, including levers 131, 132, carrying rollers 133 for cooperation with the respective cam faces noted, the free ends of said levers being respectively connected by links 134, 135 with the shaft 119 of the carrierand with a rocker arm. 136 connected to said shaft.

The operation of theparticular transferring mechanism is as follows: The coincident double faces of the cam are so arranged as to maintain the levers of the operating mechanism at their extreme elevation. The various connections between said levers and the respective carriers have such relative arrangement that when the levers are at their extreme elevation the carriers are maintained in can-receiving position slightly-below the floor above the particular projected floor plate with which they cooperate. While in this position, the feeding mechanism hereinbefore described operates to deliver a row of cans into the carriers. At this time the divided cam faces ride into cooperation with the lever rollers with the result that the respective levers are simultaneously lowered causing the carriers in loaded condition to descend to a position immediately above the projected floor plate with which they cooperate. The lever 124 now cooperates with an exaggerated portion of its particular cam facewith the effect to independently elevate this lever to a slight degree. This movement of the lever rocks the respective carriers and discharges the supported can on to the particular floor plate. As the cans travel transverse the respective floors alternately in opposite directions it is obvious that the respective series of carriers must be .reversely operated, so that while carriers 115, and 116 are receiving a load from the operation of the feeding mechanism the carrier 118 must bedischarging its load. This operation is readily effected by reverse arrangement of the respective cams 120, as will be fully obvious from Fig. 13 of the drawing.

The discharging floor 65 is alined with a discharging tube 138 in open communication with the cooking cylinder and closed at its outer or free end by a valve 139. The tube 138 communicates with a discharge pipe 140, leading to a receiving tank 141 preferably containing a body of water for cooling the cans discharged from the cooker. The pipe 140 is preferably perforated or slitted longitudinally to rovide for the escape of any water of con ensation adhering to the cans during their discharge. The valve 139 is so arranged as to be automatically'opened to permit the passage of a row of cans under the influence of the ejector plunger, automatically closing immediately succeeding the passage of the last can of the row to prevent the escape of steam from the cooking cylinder. The cylinder proper is preferably supported upon legs 142, and the operative parts of the structure within the cylinder are to be of substantial material, preferably of a character to avoid deteriorating influence by the cooking agent.

With the parts constructed and arranged as described, and the cooking cylinder in communication with an appropriate source of steam supply, the cans, in rows of any appropriate number, are delivered from the filllast floor section thereof has been reached.

ing and capping machine to the trough 5 of i the elevating mechanism. Each row of cans 1 delivered is, in the manner previously de- 1 scribed elevated to the feeding trough 4, and 1 then forced by the delivery plunger 20 on to the receiving floor section 61 of the upper floor of the cooking cylinder. Immediately preceding each operation of the delivery plunger the cams 92, 93 and 103, 104 are operated with the effect to actuate the feeding plates and the holding plates in the manner previously described. This movement of these plates directs each delivered row of cans transversely of the upper floor until the The transferring mechanism is w effective to receive the row of cans from the last floor section of the upper floor and transfer the same to the projected floor section 63 of the next lower floor. This operation is continued during the service of the cooker, so that each row of cans delivered on the floor section 61 of the upper floor. is automatically and successively transferred to' each floor plate of each floor throughout the series of floors, being finally delivered to the end floor section 65 of the lower floor. The row of cans delivered on this floor section is engaged by the ejector plunger 23, and forced from the cooking cylinder into the cooling tank'141.

In the travel of the cans throughout the cooking cylinder each can is subjected to an identical degree of heat, thereby insuring an absolutely uniform cooking operation of the material within the cans. This is the most important feature of the present construction, as it provides for a uniformity of result in the cooking operation which has been heretofore impossible in cookers as previ ously constructed. I

It is, of course, to be understood that the capacity of the cooker is limited only by the size thereof and by the speed at which the various mechanisms is operated, it being obvious that the row of cans may comprise any appropriate number of the latter desired.

While preferring the details of structure and arrangements. of parts hereindescribed and illustrated, it is obvious that many mechanical variations and changes may be re sorted to, and I Wish it to be understood that I consider as within the spirit of the present invention any and all variations and changes from the described arrangement that may fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, is

1. A cooking apparatus comprising a cook-' ing cylinder having a valved can inlet, a delivery trough alined with the inlet, a can operating plunger movable within the trough and through the inlet, a can receiving trough arranged below the delivery trough, and an elevator for transferring cans from the re ceiving trough to the delivery trough.

2. A cooking apparatus comprising a cooking cylinder formed with .a can inlet and with a can outlet, a delivery trough alined with the inlet, a receiving trough arranged below the delivery trough, and elevating means for transferring the cans from the receiving trough to the delivery trough, a reciprocating carriage supported beyond the cylinder, and plungers carried by the carriage and cooperating respectively with the delivery trough and with the cylinder outlet.

3. A cooking apparatus comprising a cook- I ing cylinder, a series of superimposed floors within the cylinder, means for delivering a can to one of the floors, and means for intermittently moving said cans transversely of the floor.

4. A cooking apparatus comprising a cooking cylinder, a floor arranged therein, means for delivering a can to said floor,- a feeding apparatus to force the can transversely on the floor, and means for intermittently operating said feeding apparatus.

5. A cooking apparatus comprising a cool-:- ing cylinder, a floor arranged therein, means for delivering the cans tosaid floor, feeding plates. cooperating with the cans to normally prevent movement thereof, and means'for operating the feeding plates to force the cans transversely of the floor.

6. A cooking apparatus comprising a cooking cylinder, a floor arranged therein, means for delivering a can to said floor, feedingplates normally disposed on opposite sides of the can, and means for imparting to said feeding plates vertical, lateral, downward, and lateral movements in succession to force the can transversely of the floor.

7. A cooking apparatus comprising a cooking cylinder, a floor arranged therein, means for delivering a can to said floor, a series of feeding plates cooperating with the can and normally adapted to prevent movement thereof, and means for operating the feeding plates to release the can, move said plates laterally beyond the can, then downwardly to engage the can, and then laterally to force the can a predetermined distance transversely of the floor.

8. A cooking apparatus comprising a cook ing cylinder, a floor arranged therein, means for delivering a can to said floor, feeding mechanism for the can, means for operating said feeding mechanism to force the can transversely of the floor, and means for holding the cans against movement when free from the influence of the feeding means.

9. A cooking apparatus com rising a cookingcylinder, a floor arranged t erein, means for delivering a can to said floor, a feeding means cooperating with the can on the floor, means for operating the feeding means to initially release the can, then reengage it, and

finally force it transversely of the floor, and holding means for preventing movement of the can when released by the feeding means..

10. A cooking apparatus comprising a cooking cylinder, a floor arranged therein, means for delivering a can to said floor, a feeding means cooperating with the'can on the floor, means for operating the feeding means to initially release the can, then reengage it, and finally force it transversely of the floor, and a series of holding blades to engage the can when released from the in' of holding plates cooperating with the can during the upward and lateral movements of the feeding plates.

12. A cooking ap aratus comprising a cooking cylinder, a ifoorarranged therein, means for delivering a can to said floor, feed- .ing plates normally disposed on opposite sides of the can, means for imparting to said feeding plates 1n successlon upward, lateral, downward, and lateral movements to force *the can transversely of the floor, a series of holding plates arranged below the floor, and means for projecting said plates above the floor into can-holding position in the initial upward movement of the feeding plates.

13. A cooking apparatus comprising a cooking cylinder, a floor arranged'therein, means for deliveringa can to said floor, feeding plates normally disposed on opposite sides of the can, means for imparting to said feeding plates in succession upward, lateral, downward and lateral movements to force the can transversely of the-floor, a series of holding plates arranged below the floor, and means for projecting said plates above the floor into can-holding position in the initial upward movement of the feeding plates, said means operatingto maintain the can-holding 'means in projected position during the initial lateral movement of the feeding plates.

14. A cooking apparatus comprising a cooking cylinder, a series of floors arranged therein, means for feeding the cans along the respective floors and means independent of the feeding means for transferring the can from one floor to another.

15. A cooking apparatus comprising a cooking cylinder, a series of floors arranged therein, means for intermittently forcing the cans transversely of the respective floors, and means independent of the forcing means for transferring the cans from one floor to ananother.

16. A cooking apparatus comprising a cooking cylinder, a series of superimposed floors arranged therein, means for feeding the can transverse the respective floors, said means operating in opposite directions on alternate floors, and means independent of the feeding means for transferring the can from one floor to the next lower floor.

17. A cooking apparatus comprising a cooking cylinder, a series of superimposed floors arranged therein, means for feeding the can transverse the respective floors, said means operating in opposite directions on alternate floors, an independent can carrier independent of the feeding means cooperating with two successive floors, and means for operating the carrier to receive a can from one floor and deliver it to the succeeding floor.

18. A cooking apparatus comprising a cooking cylinder, a series of superimposed floors arranged therein, means for feeding the can transverse the respective floors, said means operating in opposite directions on alternate floors, an independent can carrier, means for reciprocating said carrier between any two floors, and means for rocking the carrier at its lowest limit of movement.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

MILES D. TAYLOR.

' Witnesses:

W. P. GRAHAM, O. A. WEDLER. 

